Autobest Press Release – 12 December 200608 / 12 / 2010

Opel Corsa is the “AUTOBEST 2007” among the emerging markets of EuropeFIAT Auto elected “COMPANYBEST 2006”(December 12-th, 2006)

Opel Corsa was voted “AUTOBEST 2007” . With a total of 780 points, the winner overtook Fiat Grande Punto with only 5 points, and Peugeot 207, came third with a total of 704 points. 7 members of the Jury selected Corsa as the winner, and other 5 gave the first place to Grande Punto. Peugeot managed to obtain one clear nr 1 and another one shared with Corsa. Hyundai Accent came on 4-th position with 433 points and Skoda Roomster on 5-th collecting 428 points.

“It was a very tough competition, with strong competitors. The new Corsa managed to win thanks to an overall value for money and proved to be competitive in many of the criteria’s followed by the Jury members. It was closely followed by Fiat Grande Punto and Peugeot 207. All these three cars are simply great cars for all the people living in the countries represented in the Jury, with strong sales. However, we can only have one winner. The new Corsa is representing a revolution compared with the previous generation, a completely new philosophy behind the car and this paid back.”, Mr. Dan Vardie, AUTOBEST Chairman, stated.

Fiat Auto was voted “COMPANYBEST 2006” for the outstanding results announced by the company for this year. The executives of FIAT proved that a coming back is always possible with clear vision about the future, good products and dedication in keeping the costs down and strictly following healthy company policies. Even more, the new commitment announced by FIAT for the next years until the end of the decade are great, showing not just a fantastic recovery but preparing the ground for an astonishing success story of the 21-st century car industry.

AUTOBEST Jury decided that Jean- Charles Lievens, the Executive Vice President of KIA Motors Europe to be elected as “MANBEST 2006” . His role in the European success of KIA is decisive. He is the author of the 7 years warranty, an European first. Mr. Lievens watched closely the implementation of the industrial process in Zilina factory, Slovakia, turned in the most efficient car factory in Europe, delivering outstanding quality.

For AUTOBEST car winner, Jury made its decision taking into consideration 13 criteria, each of them counting a specific number of points that reflect a different importance in the final vote of each car. The price, with 60 points out of a total of 240 available to be distributed among the finalists, is the most important. Other sensitive issues for the region, like distribution network, service and spare parts availability, consumption, versatility and boot capacity, count for 20 points each. All of these specific criteria for the customers in emerging countries total more than a half of the total number of points. Other issues, common for all European countries, like new technologies, handling, dynamics, environmental friendly, are less important. The design, evaluated with 30 points maximum, becomes more and more important for the clients in emerging countries.

Starting 2007, Boriszov Boros Jeno will proudly represent Hungary, as the 14-th country in the Jury. He is a well known motoring writer, working for “Népszabadság” the biggest daily newspaper of Hungary but also contributing to different other media. “With Borisz on board, AUTOBEST international Jury is covering almost all the important emerging markets of Europe. AUTOBEST is rapidly growing into the most vivid region of Europe, the territory where the markets are growing and the industry is developing. We are covering a region where people are looking for more motoring and more guidance on selecting the future car. AUTOBEST award remain the most relevant “best buy” competition for Europe.” Dan Vardie said welcoming Boriszov Boros Jeno.

The sixth edition of AUTOBEST AWARDS FESTIVITY will take place at the beginning of February 2007 in Hungary. Following the tradition, AUTOBEST International Jury grants the awards in different country every year. Last year, the awards festivity was held in Kiev, Ukraine. Besides the AUTOBEST winners, in Hungary are also invited important people and decision makers from the automotive industry in Hungary and in Europe as well, stars, sports people and famous personalities.

AUTOBEST Jury thanks the readers from the region for encouraging the project and the PR responsible in the automotive industry for providing all the support in organizing meetings and drive tests of the new products.